Agriculture

Manatee citrus industry growing vulnerable as greening spreads

Jim Skinner, owner of Backyard Citrus Care Company, sprays a grapefruit tree which is suffering from citrus greening, a bacteria which cannot be killed. Skinner sprays trees that are infected with a mix of nutrients including manganese, zinc, copper, iron, and nitrogen which helps the trees but does not cure them. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald

Greening is seriously threatening to cut back the citrus industry in Manatee County, which ranks 10th in Florida for citrus acreage.

Read story

Archive by category ''Agriculture

AGRICULTURE

Coke plans major expansion of Fla. orange groves

The Coca-Cola Co. said Tuesday that it is spending $2 billion to support the planting of 25,000 acres of new orange groves in Florida, a move officials are lauding as a major investment in the Sunshine State's citrus industry.
AGRICULTURE

Buchanan honored by American Farm Bureau Federation

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, has received the “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award from the American Farm Bureau Federation
AGRICULTURE

Ag on the Hill
AGRICULTURE

Palmetto tomato grower welcomes Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers on way to Publix protest

Pacific Tomato Growers in Palmetto welcomes farmworkers during protest march to Publix headquarters
AGRICULTURE

Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers inspire ecumenical effort in Manatee

Several Manatee County churches are supporting a march from Fort Myers to Lakeland of the Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers.
TECHNOLOGY

U.S. Supreme Court quizzes farmer on soybean patent

An Indiana farmer who clashed with Monsanto Co. over his replanting of its patented soybean seeds ran into steady skeptical questions Tuesday from the Supreme Court.
AGRICULTURE

'Big day for Florida' say Palmetto growers after Mexican tomato pact

A new tomato deal between Mexico and the U.S. may have a positive impact on the tomato business in Palmetto.
AGRICULTURE

Green disease squeezes citrus farmers in Florida

The disease known as greening is said to be present in every Florida grove to some extent.
AGRICULTURE

Growers want 30-year no-bid access to Everglades land

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will be asked on Wednesday to agree to a no-bid contract to allow two companies to farm on Everglades land for another 30 years
AGRICULTURE

Veggies are still the stars at Geraldson's Farm

Veggies are still the main attraction at Geraldson Community Farm.